Suitcase



Jan. 23, 1934. H, B. BOURLAND SUITCASE Filed March 2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan.'23, 1934. H. B. BCURLAND SUITCASE Filed"March 2, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 7 o W g; J n w B w a H m 5 2 7 4 6 M 4 o I J! m M L J/ nmm l,

Patented Jan. 23, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 2, 1933.

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in suitcases, and more especially to a novel case of light weight, inexpensive construction, designed particularly for use in carrying mens suits while travelling in railroad cars, automobiles, aeroplanes, etc.

It is well known that conventional suitcases cause suits to be wrinkled or mussed while travelling, and persons travelling, particularly by automobile, frequently carry such garments on ordinary coat hangers within a paper bag or wrapper. This not only allows a suit to become dusty, but makes it embarrassing in carrying such a package into a hotel lobby or the like.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a convenient non-wrinkling and dust proof package which will not only facilitate the carrying of one or more suits, but which may be employed as a storage container for such suits when they are not in use.

With the foregoing objects outlined and with other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the improved suit case in closed condition.

Fig. 2 is a similar View with the case opened.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the skeleton frame of the case.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the same,

taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the same.

Fig. 6 is an edge view of the case in closed condition.

In making up the frame of the improved case, I use a back 7 and a top 8, both preferably formed of some light relatively stiff material such as the fiber board used in the making of sample cases, trunks, etc. The back is preferably of semi-spherical shape and the curved top is secured to the curved edge of the back by tongues 9 cut from one edge of the top and securing these tongues to the back by suitable fastening means such as rivets 10.

For reinforcing purposes, angular stiff metal brackets 11 of light weight are secured to the back by rivets 12, and to the top by means of rivets 13.

Another strap metal inverted U-shaped bracket 14, which is secured to the top and back by rivets or the like 15, not only functions to reinforce Serial No. 659,409

the construction, but the bracket 14 has a downwardly projecting finger 16 which, with the opposite side of the bracket, forms a support for a rod 17 for the hooks 18 of coat hangers 19, (see Fig. 2).

Such a skeleton frame is used with a bag 20 which may be made of any suitable flexible material such as canvas, rubberized cloth, leather, etc., and this bag is constructed to entirely enclose the skeleton frame, and its upper portion is permanently secured to the frame by any suitable means, such as a thin metal strap 29 and rivets 30.

In order that the bag may be entered, the upper portion of its front forms a closing flap or cover 21 which may be fastened in closed position by a conventional zipper or hookless fastening 22, which preferably extends from a point 23 above the lower edge of the skeleton frame up and over the top to a point 24 also above the lower edge of the skeleton frame.

A carrying handle 25 is secured to the top, and a carrying handle 28 to the back, exteriorly of the bag, for use in carrying the latter by hand, and in order that the bag may be hung up on a hook, shade bracket or the like of an automobile, railroad car, or aeroplane, a hanger swiveled hook 26 is pivotally secured to the rear end of the rod 1'? exteriorly of the canvas bag. When the bag is being carried by the handle 25, the hook will hang downwardly so as not to interfere.

From Fig. 2 it will be noted that one or more suits 27, arranged on coat hangers, may be placed within the case, and the bag 20 will be of a length slightly greater than the garments on the hangers. Consequently, if the bag is carried or hung in an upright position, the garments will be protected against dust, wrinkling and the like.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction, of the improved suit case and the advantages of the same will be readily appreciated, and it is manifest that changes may be made in the details disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention, as expressed in the claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A suit case comprising a rigid skeleton frame formed of a back member of substantially semicircular form and a top member secured to the curved edge of said back member and projecting perpendicularly therefrom, angular brackets secured to the top and back for reinforcing the frame, a bag of flexible material and of greater height than the frame enclosing the latter and secured to the frame, the upper end of the bag conforming to the shape of the frame, said bag having a closing flap, means for securing the flap in closed position, a substantially inverted U- shaped bracket secured to the top and back of the frame and having depending portions, a hanger supporting rod extending through said portions and also through the back of the frame and the back of the bag, and supporting means for said suit case pivotally connected to said rod exterioriy of said frame and bag.

2. A suit case comprising a rigid skeleton frame formed of a back member of substantially semicircular form and a top member secured to the curved edge of said back member and projecting forwardly therefrom, a bag of flexible material and of greater height than the frame, enclosing the latter, and secured to the frame, the upper end of the bag conforming to the shape of the frame, said bag having a closing flap, means for securing the flap in closed position, coat hanger supporting means positioned within the case at the upper portion of said frame, and a carrying handle secured to the back and arranged exteriorly of the bag in or below the central region of said back, whereby the suitcase may be carried underneath the arm out of contact with the ground.

HARRY B. BOURLAND. 

